Extron has released a case study to show how their AV solutions were picked to transform a North Carolina marketing firm and the dynamic office space they occupy.
AV integrator KONTEK was given the contract, and it was their consultants who decided that Extron solutions were what was needed for this project.
“Why did we choose Extron equipment? Because I wanted it to work,”
Warren Martin, UX Design Engineer at KONTEK, said.
“Extron is one of the very few companies where I have no problem spec’ing a brand-new product. They do their due diligence. Their boxes are quiet and small – and do their job.”
The AV Challenge
The Variable embarked on a transformative journey to revolutionise their audiovisual infrastructure.
Located in the recently restored Bailey Power Plant, the company sought to overcome long-standing technological challenges and create a seamless, cutting-edge communication environment.
“When we moved into the Bailey Building, video conferencing was huge for us – and this was pre-COVID,”
Kate Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Operations at The Variable, said.
The Variable’s previous office space had been plagued by persistent audiovisual issues that hindered effective communication and collaboration.
“Having experienced those [AV] issues again and again, we knew the next time we moved that we were going to invest. We were going to do it right,” she continued.
“Thankfully, we had planned to make sure all our rooms were ready for video conferencing, but especially our main conference room and larger conference rooms. The decisions we made early on allowed us to have those teleconferences seamlessly, and Extron AV in the room helped with all that.”
The challenges in outfitting this new space mainly surrounded the timeline and working up against supply shortages as COVID started impacting the project.
After many stops and starts, KONTEK came in. Because they came in fairly late in the project, the AV decisions needed to be made in short order.
Luckily, due to their relationship with Extron, they were able to move with haste.
“The peace of mind of having great AV, like Extron, certainly helped,”
Keith Vest, Founder and Chairman of The Variable, said of the process.
This was even more pertinent due to the fact that the project faced unprecedented supply chain challenges felt at the time.
“So much of this project was co-dependent on one another. If something wasn’t done in a certain order, then what followed couldn’t be done.”
Despite these obstacles, Extron’s reliability became a beacon of stability. “They were the first choice and, even in these times, they were available,” Vest stated.
Technological Solutions that Transformed Collaboration
The Variable’s new space featured several key Extron technologies:
- TouchLink Pro Touchpanels: Installed in conference rooms with a custom UI, these panels enabled intuitive room control.
- NAV AV over IP Systems: Provided seamless video streaming capabilities.
- Pro Series Control Systems: Ensured smooth operational workflows.
The crowning achievement was what The Variable calls the “Stadium” – a unique two-floor feature of its office transformed into a tiered seating area that became a showcase of technological prowess.
Multiple Extron NAV AV over IP encoders and decoders handled complex video streaming tasks, impressing visitors and creating new opportunities for community engagement.
A New Communication Paradigm
The results were, as The Variable puts it, transformative.
“Before we moved into this new space, we were constantly troubleshooting our conference rooms… Now we’ve upped our game. To be able to pop into one of our conference rooms and, with a minimal level of stress, jump on a video call with a client – it’s a breath of fresh air,” Vest said.
Another area of commendation was the update of aesthetics.
As an agency involved in advertising and creative space, appearance is important for impressing new clients and reflecting the sleek image the company portrays.
“We had extension cords going from the table to the ceiling! We had a camera sitting on a cardboard box – and you know I’m sure that looked good to the client on the other end,” Vest explained.
“But now we’ve upped our game. To be able to pop into one of our conference rooms and, with a minimal level of stress, jump on a video call with a client – it’s a breath of fresh air.”
This is thanks to Extron’s range of NAV AV over IP Systems, whose encoders have been designed to minimise cabling with single HDMI ports, alongside its sleek design to blend in and be installed on a wall.
So transformed with the AV technology that Vest claims they’ve been approached on many occasions about renting the Stadium out for community meetings and special events.
The Variable’s journey demonstrates how strategic AV technology – along with the reliability and design of Extron’s solutions – can fundamentally reshape workplace communication and collaboration.
